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The fire burned at least 386 square miles and forced 90,000 people to evacuate – including the entire population of the oil town.

The main route out had to be closed as flames reached the edge of the roadside.

The fire forced 90,000 people to evacuate

Dave, who’s now working in Nunavut in northern Canada, says he had to help when the highway was blocked.

He said: “The people looked terrified. It looked apocalyptic. I made a phone call to the camp I stay in to ask if I could bring people back. At first they said no because it’s inside a gas plant and would be dangerous. But after I called the emergency line, they made it happen.”

AECOM said: “We wish Mr Cowieson well for the future.

“We strive to instil a culture of safety, reminding and instructing our staff to consider the safety implications of everything they do.”